Protesters To Go Ahead With Referendum

Ukraine govt said it would press on with the anti-terrorist operations to protect its regional integrity irrespective of whether or not the referendum is postponed.

Anti-govt protesters rejected Russia’s call to postpone the referendum from May 11. The referendum ballotquestion is: Do you support the act of proclamation of sovereignty for the Donetsk People’s Republic?

The question is deliberately ambiguous to allow a decision over the possible steps post the referendum. The options being push for independence, greater autonomy with Ukraine or unification with Russia.

Russia initiated large-scale military exercises, and NATO launched a 6000-strong military exercise close to Russian border, and called for permanent stationing of the military in view of Russia’s actions and military escalation in Europe.

US removed Russia from its list of countries whose exports receive preference, but also lifted the ban on purchase of Russian missile engines that power US Atlas 5 missiles. The ban had earlier threatened to halt launching of US military and space satellites.